Cigarette dispenser



May 21, 1940. J. B. WHITTED CIGARETTE DISPENSER Filed Aug. 28, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 -1561 now MWMH 6 2 v1-1? w J 5 9 w 8 a 6 m y 1940- J. B. WHlTTED 2,201,277

CIGARETTE DISPENSER Filed Aug. 28, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 21 1940 PATENT OFFICE CIGARETTE DISPENSER John B. Whitted, Glencoe, Ill.

Application August 28,

13 Claims.

My invention pertains to cigarette dispensers and is particularly concerned with the provision of a cigarette dispenser for homes and ofiices.

An object of my invention is to provide an attractive cigarette dispenser composed of a few simple and inexpensive parts which may be quickly assembled and which will be durable and trouble-free in use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cigarette dispenser which may have its larger parts com-posed of the new and more attractive plastics molded into attractive shapes and designs.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cigarette dispenser which may be made in either single or multiple form and which may, if desired, have an ash tray integral therewith.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cigarette dispenser which may be formed as a 20 separate and attractive article or which may be attractively combined with fountain pen desk sets and similar articles commonly associated with desks and tables in offices and homes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cigarette dispenser which will dispense either oval or cylindrical cigarettes of all makes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cigarette dispenser which will dispense either tipped or untipped cigarettes.

Another object of my invention is to provide a dispenser which may be easily loaded with the contents of an ordinary package of cigarettes without the necessity of any pre-arrangement of the cigarettes as they are placed into the dis- :5 penser.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cigarette dispenser which will dispense a plurality of cigarettes simultaneously.

Other objects andadvantages will become apup, parent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View similar to Figure 2 but showing the parts in dispensing position;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a slightly irregular section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a side elevation showing a multiple form of my invention, a part of one side being broken away to show the interior construction.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, I have 1937, Serial No. 161,381 (01'. 312-77) shown my improved cigarette dispenser as having a housing in which may be made of metal, a phenol condensation product, or any other suitable material. I find it preferable, however, to form this housing ID in a single part molded from "5 one of the newer plastics which can be secured in a wide variety of attractive colors and finishes. This housing as thus formed comprises a top l2, back I4, and sides It which extend forwardly at their lower portions to provide an integral ash tray and cigarette holder I 8. As shown most clearly in Figure 2, the rim of the ash tray I8 is made of V-shape and is provided with enlargements forming rests for lighted cigarettes.

Within the housing I9 is located a cigarette 1'5 container 22 which may also be formed of metal or any other suitable material but which I preferably form as an integral member of plastic material such as a phenol condensation product. This container is adapted to hold the cigarettes in 20 vertical position as indicated most clearly in Figure 2 which shows this container in its normal position. The sides of the container 22 extend "downwardly below the bottom 24 of the container as indicated most clearly at 26 in Figure 5, and 5 these downwardly extending sides are pivotally mounted on a rod 28 secured tothe housing ID in a manner which I shall presently describe. The container 22 has formed integrally therewith,

a semi-cylindrical apron 30 which extends from "30 the main portion of the container 22 to a position adjacent the front edge 32 of the housing II] which, in the particular embodiment disclosed in. Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, forms the rear inner wall of the ash tray l8. Integral with the apron 30 35 is a handle 34 which may be engaged by a finger to swing the container 22 to the dispensing position shown in Figure'3.

The sides of the container 22 are provided with vertical slots 36 which slidably receive a U-shaped wire 31 having a central portion 38 and upwardly directed ends 40. When the parts are in the normal position shown in Figure 2, the central portion 38 of this wire is located below the bottom 24 of the container 22 and the upwardly inclined 5' ends are spaced from the pivoted cover 42 which normally closes the upper end of the container 22. This U-shaped wire is held in this position by arms 44 which are formed by the reversely bent ends of a single piece of wire. Each arm 44 defines a slot which receives the central portion 38 of the U-shaped wire 31.

The arms 44 are pivotally mounted on a second rod 46 as, for example, by wrapping the wire, of which these arms are formed, about the rod 46 as clearly shown in the drawings. The central portion of the wire 48 of which the arms 44 are formed is engaged by one end 50 of a spiral spring 52 which is wound aboutthe rod 46 and which has Figure 3, the U-shaped wire 3?.is moved upwardits other end 54 engaging the rod 28 as an abutment. I I

The end 50 of the spring 52 acts upwardly on the wire 48 and thereby urges the arms M downwardly whereby the U-shaped wire 3? is held in its downward position and with its central portion 38 engaging and pressing downwardly on the tail 55 of a lever 58 pivoted on the rod 28 l and having an upwardly extending arm (iii passing through a slot 62 in the container 22. A pusher plate 52 is secured to the upper end of the arm 50 by means of a pin 66 which extends loosely through an opening in the upper end of the arm 60 and which also extends through suitable openings provided in flanges 68 struckv out of the plate 24. This, in effect, provides a universal connection between the pusher plate and arm 60 so that'the pusher plate may adjust itself to different groupings of the cigarettes in the container 22.

The cover i-Zis provided with integral ears i6 having openings for receiving the ends of a mounting wire 12 which also passes through ears M integral with the back of the container 22. The wire '12 is preferably made U-shaped as shown in Figure 5 and carries on its central portion a sleeve 16 of rubber or other suitable material which acts as a bumper to cushion and limit the returnrnovement' of the container 22 into the housing Hi.

The normal position of the container 22 is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. The container is held in this position by a coil spring i8 having one end attached to the rod 36 and its other end attached to a wire 88 secured to a downward extension 82 formed integrally with the back of the container22. The lower end of the housing I6 is closed by a plate 84 of metal or other suitable material which may be secured to the housing as by screws lit. The plate 84 is provided with longitudinal grooves 85 which stiffen this plate and which also permit the heads of the screws 86 to be flush with the lower face of the plate 84.

I preferably secure a layer of felt 88 or other soft material by an adhesive or other suitable meansto the lower face of the plate 84 to prevent this plate from scratching the top of a desk, table or other piece of furniture.

When the parts are at rest, they assume the position shown in Figure 2 wherein the cigarettes are pushed against the front of the container 22 by the pusher plate 64. The upper end of the container 22 is closed by the cover 22 which prevents undue drying of the tobacco in the cigarettes. If desired, a moist sponge may be located in the space beneath the container 22 to maintain the cigarettes in the best possible condition.

When the handle 34 is pushed down to move the container 22 toward the position shown in ly, but the relationship of the parts is such that the central portion 38 of this wire does not rise above the bottom of the container until the upper front edge of the container is well beyond the top 52 of the housing [0. When the front upper edge of the container 22 has moved well beyond the top l2, the central portion 33 of this wire engages the lower ends of the cigarettes in the front or right hand row and pushes them upwardly until they assume the position shown in Figure 3. c

As the central portion 38 of the U-shaped wire rises, it releases the tail 55 of the lever 58, whereupon the light spring 99 moves this lever in a counter-clockwise direction and shifts the pusher plate 64 to the inoperative position shown in Figure 3, thereby removing all pressure from the cigarettes and permitting the front row freely to slide upwardly under the urging of the wire 31. The spring 92 is coiled about the rod 28 and has one end 92 engaging the bottom of the container 22 and another end 94 engaging a lateral extension 96 of the tail portion 56 of the lever 58. As best shown in Figure 4, the lever 58 is made of sheet metal and the laterally extending portion 96 terminates in a reversely bent end 98 providing a second bearing on the rod 28.

As the rear top edge of the container 22 approaches the front edge of the top l2, the upwardlyextending ends 40 of the wire 37 engage the cover 42 and raise it until it assumes the full opened position shown in Figure 3 of the.

drawings. When the container 22 is in the position shown in Figure 3, the rod 43 is located in recess H19 provided in the downwardly extending sides of theicontainer and the limit of pivotal movement of the container is determined by the engagement of this rod 46 with the tops of these recesses. provided either on the rod 46 or on the upper portions of'these recesses to cushion the pivotal movement of the container 22. The container 22 is held in the dispensing position shown in Figure 3 by its own weight and also by the coil spring 18 whose direction of force has been moved to the other side of the pivot rod 28 by the movement of thecontainer.

After the desired number of cigarettes has been Withdrawn, a push on the front of the container 22 or on the handle 34 will return the container to the normal position shown in Figure 2. As the container swings back to vertical or normal position, the U-shaped wire 3! is lowered from beneath the front row of cigarettes and also from beneath the cover 42, so that the elevated cigarettes in the front row and the cover return to their lowered positions by gravity. It should be noted that during this return movement, the pusher plate 64 does not press upon the cigarettes and therefore does not retard the lowering of the elevated cigarettes. In the event one or more of the elevated cigarettes should fail to return under the force of gravity alone, the cover 42 will return such cigarettes to lowered position. Under certain circumstances, the engagement of the cover 42 with the top l2 will facilitate such return movement of the cigarettes. As soon as the central portion 38 of the U-shaped wire 31 engages the tail 56 of the lever 58, the pusher plate 64 engages the cigarettes in the container 22 and refills the front or right hand row. It should be noted that as the pusher plate 64 first moves away from the back of the container 22, it rises slightly, thereby tending to lift the cigarettes. This lifting action materially facilitates the. proper feeding of the cigarettes to the front of the container 22.

An important feature of my invention lies in the ease with which it may be filled with the contents of an ordinary package of cigarettes If desired, suitable bumpers may be and the accuracy and reliability with which the positions of the rods 28 and M5. are held in these grooves by metal plates I04,

erably make this container of such size that it will readily receive a full package of cigarettes of any'standard make or shape but'which will not permit any cigarette to rest at such an angle crosswise of the container that it will not be raised above the edge of the container by the dispensing mechanism. I have found that where the interior of the container from front to back is made approximately 1% inches and the interior dimension of the container from side to side is made approximately 1% inches, perfect operation obtains; When the container is given these dimensions, it is sufficiently large to receive easily the contents of a full package of cigarettes; no pre-arrangement of the cigarettes in the container is necessary; and every cigarette including the last one will be properly dispensed.

The particular arrangement of parts which produces the upward movement of the wire 31 is particularly advantageous in that this wire is given a large movement for a comparatively small angular movement of the container 22; the upward movement of the wire 37 is first slow to permit the upper end of the container to clear the top l2 and thereafter rapid to produce the necessary elevation of the cigarettes and. top 42; and sufficient force is exerted on this wire 31 to insure dispensing of a full row of cigarettes in spite of resistance offered by the inter-engagement of protuberances on the cigarettes due either to inaccuracy in manufacture or to the presence of cork or other tips. On the return movement of the container 22, there is likewise adequate power available to lower all of the elevated cigarettes in spite of similar re sufiicient cigarettes for several people and even where only one person desires a cigarette, a better impression is created if he is given the opportunity to select from a group of cigarettes instead of being confined to the single cigarette.

"Another important feature of my invention lies in the simplicity of the parts and their case of assembly. The housing l0 and container 22 each comprises a single unitary molded structure and thebottom closure 84' is a simple plate: which may be punched out of conventional material. Similarly, the pusher plate 54, lever 60 and cover 42 may be metal stampings made from conventional material. The other parts are either easily bent out of conventional wire which is readily obtainable, or are already availableon the commercial market as commercial springs now used for other purposes.

Particular attention is directed to the ease of assembly and disassembly. The rods 28 and 46 rest in grooves provided in the portions I02 of the molded housings H), which grooves define The rods each of which is suitably secured to the housing ID as by a single screw I06. This means for securing the operative parts of the structure in the housing It is particularly desirable from an assembly standpoint.

It is to be understood that the combined age rette dispenser and ash tray shown in Figures 1 to 5 is only one of the numerous forms'which may be assumed by my invention. One of the important advantages of 'my cigarette dispenser lies in the fact that it may assume innumerable attractive and desirable shapes and designs and may be used either with or without an ash tray as desired. Similarly, it may be combined with desk fountain pen sets and other articles commonly used on desks and tables to provide a more attractive, convenient and useful piece of equipment for home or ofiice. l

' My cigarettedispenser may also be made in either the single form shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, or in the multiple form such as I have illustrated in Figure 6. In this Figure 6 I have embodied my invention in a form which is capable of dispensing two different kinds of cigarettes. Furthermore, in this form of my invention the dispenser may be so operated as to make both forms of cigarettes available simultaneously or either form alone, as desired. r The embodiment of Figure 6 comprises a single unitary housing l l0 preferably molded from one of the newer plastic materials. A pair of containers 22 are locatedin the housing H0. These containers 22' may be similar in all respects to the container 22 of the embodiment previously described, and each container 22' is provided with a handlet i for independent actuation. Si-

multaneous actuation of the containers 22 is effected by means of a handle H2 which may also be used for the purpose of transporting the cigarette dispenser from one location to another. The handlewhich I have designated generally by reference character I 12 comprises a loop H4 having a pair of slots H6. One end of an actuator I I8 is located in each of the slots I I6. These I ends of the actuators I I8 are provided with rigid Washers I26 located below the loop H4 and washers I22 located thereabove. The washers l2!) and I22 are preferably rounded where they contact the loop H4 to permit pivotalmovemen by this loop and each of the actuators. A

The lower ends of the actuators Hil are bent in opposite directions as indicated at I24 and are received in suitable openings provided in the lower ends of the containers 22'. It is to be understood that the lower ends of the actuators H8 are offset on opposite sides of the centerline of the cigarette dispenser so that they do not interfere with the levers which operate the pusher plates which are identical with the pusher plate shown in the firstemb-odiment. Each container 22' may be provided with a slot opposite the actuator I It for the other container, in order to facilitate insertion of these actuators into the space between the containers. It is to be further understood that each container 22 is provided with feeding and dispensing mechanism identical with that disclosed in the first embodiment.

When it-is desired to move both containers 22' to dispensing position, the handle H2 is grasped and raised. This pulls upwardly on the back portions of the containers 22 and swings them to dispensing position. After the desired ciga rettes have been withdrawn, a downward force is exerted on the handle H2 which returns the containers 22 to their retracted or normal posi- .tion.

If it is desired to move only one dispenser 22' to dispensing position, the handle 34 of that dispenser is engaged by the finger to swing the dispenser to dispensing position. As this dispenser swings outwardly, its associated actuator H8 is raised, thereby causing the loop H4 to assume a tilted position as it pivots about its points of contact with the upper ends of the actuators-l I8.

The slots H6 provide for any lateral movement of the actuators I I8 relative to each other.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, the housing H9 is not provided with an ash tray similar to the tray I8 of the previous embodiment. It will be understood, however, that if desired, the housing H0 may be provided with one or more ash trays of this type formed integral with the housing.

While I have illustrated and described two forms of my invention, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the forms shown, but may assume innumerable other forms and that the scope of my invention is to be limited solely by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A cigarette dispenser of the class described, comprising a housing, a container pivotally mounted in said housing, said container adapted to hold a plurality ofcigarettes in substantially vertical position, means for urging said cigarettes against one wall of said container, means reciprocable in said container adjacent said wall to elevate cigarettes adjacent said wall, and means operated by tilting movement of said container for reciprocating said elevating means.

2. In a cigarette dispenser of the class described, the combination of a container for holding a plurality of cigarettes, a support for said container, a pivotal connection between said support and container, a pivoted cover for said container, a bent rod movable relative to said container, said rod having a portion adapted to underlie a cigarette located in said container, and another portion adapted to underlie said cover, and means operated by movement of said container about its pivot to elevate said rodand thereby elevate a cigarette and lift said cover.

3. A cigarette dispenser of the class described, comprising a housing, a cigarette container movably mounted in said housing and shiftable between extreme positions, said container adapted to hold a package of cigarettes, means for urging said cigarettes toward one wall of said container,

means for moving the cigarettes adjacent said wall relative to said container, means actuated by movement of said container to render said first-named means inoperative and to operate said second-named means, and means for-holding said container in either of its extreme positions.

4. .In a dispenser of the class described, the combination of a support, a container pivoted on said support, said container having a slot therein, means for projecting an article located in said container, said means comprising a member movable in said slot, a slotted lever engaging said member, and a pivotal mounting for said lever on said support, said last-named mounting being spaced at one side of said first-named pivotal mounting.

5. In a dispenser of the class described, the combination of a container for holding a pine rality of articles, means for feeding said articles,

toward a given part of said container, means for projecting said articles, a support on which said containerismovably mounted, means for advancing said feeding means, means operated by movement of said container in one direction to render said last-named means ineffective, and means operated by movement of said container in said direction to actuate said projecting means.

6. In a dispenser of the class described, the combination of a container for holding a plurality of articles, a support for said containena pivotal urging said articles toward one wall of said container, means for projecting said articles, means for operating said feeding means, means actu ated by pivotal movement of said container for rendering said last-named means ineffective during operation of said projecting means, and means actuated by movement of said container for actuating said projecting means.

'7. In a dispenser of the class described, the combination of a container, a movable cover therefor, a support movably carrying said container, said container being adapted to hold a plurality of articles, means for feeding said articles toward a pre-determined part of said container, means for projecting said articles, and

means responsive to movement of said container for raising said cover and actuating said projecting means and rendering said feeding means ineffective.

8. In a-cigarette dispenser of the class described, the combination of a container of suitable size for easily receiving, without pre-arrangement, the contents of a standard cigarette package, a support movably holding said container, a cover pivoted to said container, and means actuated by movement of said container to open said cover and project a plurality of said cigarettes, said means beingindependent of said cigarettes.

9. In a cigarette dispenser of the class described, the combination of a housing, a container pivotall-y mounted therein, a cover movably attached to said container, means for projecting cigarettes from said container, means for raising said cover, means for coordinating the operation of said raisingand projecting means with pivotal movement of said container, and a portion provided by said housing for returning said cover to closed position and returning any projecting cigarettes to said container. I

10. In a dispenser of the class described, the combination of a support, a container, a rod pivotally mounting said container on said support, means for projecting articles from said container, said means associated-with said 00ntainer, said projecting means including a lever, a second rod forming a pivotal mounting for said lever, said support having abutments for said rods, and a plate removably attached to each abutment for securing said rods to saidsupport.

11. In a cigarette dispenser of the class described, the combination of a holder, a plurality of containers movably mounted therein, article-projecting means associated with each container, and a handle for creating simultaneous movement .of said containers, said handle being pivotally connected to each container to permit independent movement thereof. I

12. In a cigarette dispenser of the class described, the combination of a support, a cigarette container pivoted thereon, article-projecting means actuated by pivotal movement of ,said container, feeding means associated with said container for urging cigarettes toward one wall of said container, said feeding means including a lever having an end located in said container, a pusher plate universally connected to said end, a pivotal mounting onsaid support for said lever positioned to give said plate an initial upward and forward movement relative to said container, and spring means normally acting on said lever 'toadvance said plate.

13. In a cigarette dispenser of the class described, the combination of a support, a container for cigarettes pivoted on said support, means for iii"? lid) feeding said cigarettes toward agiven part of said container, a cover movably attached to said container, means to raise said cover, means for simultaneously projecting a plurality of cigarettes after said cover has been raised, said feeding, projecting, and raising means being controlled in time sequence by movement of said container about its pivotal support, said cover being adapted J OHN B. WHITTED. 

